Introducing the newest Glitter Cat members, who will receive training in the Barista, Brewers Cup, Coffee In Good Spirits, and Roasters competitions.
BY KATRINA YENTCH
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
Cover photo courtesy of Glitter Cat Barista
Launched in 2018, the Glitter Cat Barista Bootcamp proved to be a roaring success—the program trains coffee competitors who identify as members of marginalized communities, and its first class had many competition-season success stories, with four Glitter Cats and founder T. Benjamin Fischer making it to the U.S. Barista Championship.
This year they’re back at it, only this time they’ve expanded the categories to include Roasters, Brewers Cup, and Coffee In Good Spirits in addition to Barista. The crew of 2020 participants was recently announced on Glitter Cat’s Instagram, and we have the honor of relaying the list here today.
Training sessions will be held over two- and three-day periods from October 25-November 25 in Minneapolis (Roasters); Sumner, Wash. (Barista); Kansas City, Mo. (Brewers); and Provincetown, Mass. (CIGS). Be sure to read the new Glitter Cats’ full bios on the website, and follow Glitter Cat’s Instagram or competition training updates!
Glitter Cat Barista Trainees
Eve Wieser (@evewieser) – She/Her – The Bean
Cydni Patterson (@fullbodiedsweetfinish) – She/Her – Caffe Driade
Oodie Taliaferro (@juicycaturra) – They/Them – Greater Goods,
Marsinah Hopkins (@30secondstomarsinah) – She/Her – Ultimo Coffee
Selina Gonzalez (@selina_the_barista) – She/Her – Greater Goods
Eli Cecil (@elicecil) – They/Them – Independent
Zach Thanasilangkul (@thirdwavezach) – He/Him – Doppio Coffee
Kae N Bonaguro (@canterbury.snails) – They/Them – Independent
Jacob King (@theangryblackbarista) – He/Him – Independent
Nicole Leigh Henderson – She/Her – Peregrine Espresso
Glitter Cat Brewers Cup Trainees
Demi Chacon (@demi.baguette) – She/Her – Foundation Coffee Co.
Kristina Jackson (@kristina.hollie) – She/Her – Independent
Ujae Lee (@ujae_) – He/Him – Never Lose That Smile
Nhan Trinh (@barista_neon) – He/Him – Cups Cafe
Alyssa Bell (@alyssa_brynn_bell) – She/Her – Taproom Coffee
Sirada “Peace” Sakulclanuwat (@peace_nyc) – She/Her – Independent
Sasha Wheeler (@whevyrn) – She/Her – Independent
Andres Morales (@coffeebydre) – He/Him – Coffee Project NY
Magda Van Dusen (@briocoffeeworks) – She/Her – Brio Coffeeworks
Glitter Cat Roasters Trainees
Carlos Sims, Jr. (@carlosdevone) – He/Him – Happy Home Coffee Roasters
JR Harris (@cochinochuy) – He/Him – Koffee Kult
Alexandra McClean Egan (@aje.coffee) – Chromatic Coffee
Kebby Vincent (@kebbaccino) – Xe/Xem – Roadkill Witchcraft
Jess Harmon (@panacheattack) – She/They – Cultivate Coffee
Emily Smith (@emilysubpressura) – She/Her – Novus Coffee Imports
Chi Sum Ngai (@sum_coffeeprojectny) – She/Her – Coffee Project NY
Christina Chin (@noodleonland) – She/Her – Southdown Coffee
Baylee Engberg (@bayleeengberg) – She/Her – Dillanos Coffee Roasters
Kris Carlson (@coffeekris_kc) – She/Her – Independent
Glitter Cat Coffee In Good Spirits Trainees
Cyrenthia Ngueya (@ablackcoffeetale) – She/Her – Onyx Coffee Lab
Jalen Kelly (@jalenjumps) – He/Him – Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company
Mika Turberville (@rawkalways) – They/Them – Independent
Meghan-Annette Reida (@meghanannette) – She/Her – Independent
Mathew “Matt” Kumar (@dehydratedmatt) – He/Him – Independent
Mo Koolphanich (@drinkwithmo) – She/Her – Independent
Joanna Lareau (@coffee.witch) – She/Her – Blue Bottle Coffee/Independent
Michelle Tran (MiMo) (@classic_mimo) – She/None – Sey Coffee
Robert Rodriguez (@robrod_) – He/Him – Night Shift Brewing
Christina Lee (@_christinalee) – She/Her – Never Lose That Smile
